They’ve conquered Melbourne. They’ve lifted the trophy. Now the big question – how much are the 2025 Lions stars actually cashing in for donning that famous red jersey?
Spoiler: They’re not going home empty-handed.
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£100K PAYDAY FOR LIONS HEROES
Thanks to a bumper new profit-sharing model, each of the 38 squad members is walking away with a six-figure sum – around £100,000 for their efforts down under.
That’s a record payout for a Lions tour – eclipsing the £80k dished out in 2017 and absolutely smashing the £48k earned during the Covid-era 2021 series (remember that awkward £10k bonus clause for winning? Brutal…).
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BIG MONEY TOUR: HOW THE CASH STACKS UP
So, what’s driving the surge?
Simple. The 2025 tour is projected to generate over £10 million, and for the first time ever, the players are getting their cut.
Forget the flat fees – this is rugby’s version of revenue share, and the Lions are all-in.
PLAYER POWER WINS THE DAY
This historic shift didn’t just fall from the sky. Credit goes to the combined muscle of the players’ unions from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
Irish rep Simon Keogh summed it up: “An agreement that’s fair and collaborative.” Translation: the players pushed, and the Lions listened.
LIONS BOSS: ‘THIS IS FOR THE PLAYERS’
Lions CEO Ben Calveley was full of praise, calling the deal a turning point that finally puts players front and centre.
“It’s the pinnacle of their careers,” Calveley said. “This agreement reflects the value we place on them.”
And let’s be honest – when you’re putting your body on the line for one of the most iconic teams in sport, you’ve earned every penny.
Four Changes Andy Farrell Must Make for Lions’ Third Test vs Australia
Now, all eyes turn to the third Test. Here are four changes the Lions must make to finish the job in style.
#1. JAMES LOWE
Despite a classy offload for Beirne’s try and some composed moments, Lowe was error-prone under the high ball and defensively vulnerable once again. A mixed bag leaning heavily toward underperformance.
BALLS 5/10: “One good flicked offload to Gibson-Park. Spilled a high ball, early in the second half. Composed take and footwork, on 57 minutes. Great step and offload for Beirne’s try. His best, and last, contribution of the game.”
Planet Rugby 4/10: “His try assist was the highlight of an otherwise poor performance from the winger who missed three of his seven tackle attempts, conceded a penalty and struggled in the air. He is a big moments player and produced that with a brutal fend and offload, but far from a complete performance.”
Telegraph 3/10: “Lovely offload to put Beirne over but was another disappointing display. A liability once again in defence and several handling errors.”
RUCK 4/10: “Lowe has looked off the tempo in both tests and today was another story of that. He never got going and was exposed hugely in defence. In attack he was nothing to fear for the Wallabies apart from his assist for Beirne.”
Replacement: Duhan van der Merwe
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